Forty Geelong paramedics disrupt Health Minister’s media conference

Forty Geelong paramedics today disrupted Health Minster Daniel Andrews’s media conference to demand urgent action on a new pay deal.

Geelong paramedics were joined by local police and fire-fighters, as they called on the minister to support fair wages and longer rest breaks between shifts to deal with fatigue.

Steve McGhie, State Secretary, Ambulance Employees Australia, said
paramedics are furious at the government’s below inflation pay offer of
3.25% per annum.

“These ambos organised this protest themselves because they are furious the government wants to send their wages backwards.”

“Basically, they’re being offered a pay cut. That is something they will not accept.”

“They also can’t understand why the government is blocking 10-hour rest breaks between shifts.

“Paramedics we surveyed said they’ve fallen asleep driving and made mistakes because of their long hours and workload. They average six hours sleep a night, and often less than that.”

“Ambos simply want to make sure they can get enough sleep so they’re safe to drive and do they’re jobs properly. It seems like a no-brainer, but it’s been rejected. It’s bizarre.”

Local paramedics say Geelong’s ambulance system is in crisis, with emergency patients experiencing long delays due to chronic understaffing.

“The Government hopes to rein in emergency response times, which are at crisis point across the state. They’re desperately trying to find 358 more ambos.”

“But unless ambos get fair wages and issues like fatigue are dealt with, who will want to do this job?”

“This agreement needs to be resolved now. It’s time this government got serious.”

Paramedics are asking the Victorian public to sign an online petition in support of 10 hour rest breaks and fair wages at www.responsetime.org.au